By Karen Phan, Opinion Editor
This afternoon, the girls’ varsity field hockey team played an exciting game against the Glendora High School Tartans but lost with a score of 1-2.
The first half began with both teams battling for the ball; possession continuously changed sticks and neither team dominated. In the 10th minute of the game, however, Glendora began to pressure Fountain Valley. The Tartans forced the Barons backed and scored the first goal of the game in the 12th minute.
Fountain Valley responded back aggressively, but Glendora gained more momentum and pressured the Barons. The Tartans were awarded multiple short corners and in the 21st minute and Glendora almost scored when a Tartan player lifted the ball into the Barons’ cage. However, senior goalie Montana Franks saved the ball.
The Barons followed the Tartan’s near goal with a series of aggressive plays. Senior forward Madison Grogan brought the ball up to the Titan’s territory and made a shot on goal in the 25th minute. The ball ricocheted off Glendora’s goalie, and junior forward Taryn Robinson stole it to make a shot but was also unsuccessful.
The Tartans attacked the Barons’ defense after Grogan and Robinson’s shots, yet could not score. Sophomore Carley Abbott-Hayes cleared the ball out of the Barons’ half of the field to Grogan, who then sent it up the field to Robinson. Robinson evaded a Glendora defender before driving the ball into the Tartans’ cage in the 27th minute, bringing the game to a tie. Both teams battled hard for the rest of the half but could not come up with a goal. The half concluded with a score of 1-1.
“[The girls] were a little bit shaky in the back, but they were able to get it together back there and communicate, go to the ball more,” Head Coach Nancy Mendez said.
Glendora opened the first half with short corner after short corner against Fountain Valley. The Tartans pressured the Barons for about fifteen minutes and scored their second goal in the 47th minute of the game. Glendora maintained its pressure and prevented Fountain Valley from making solid offensive plays.
“Offensively, [the girls] were able to score a goal [in the first half], but in the second half they kind of slowed up. They weren’t able to make those connections and make a goal,” Mendez said.
During the last two minutes of the game, the Barons forced the Tartans back. Robinson and junior forward Heather Erickson made unsuccessful shots on goal, followed by Grogan and senior defender Mackenzie Esquer. Despite the strong finish, the Barons lost with a final score of 1-2.
“We have been improving each game. We were able to get a goal even when they were down. Unfortunately, we let them score, but we continued to work hard, to try and get the ball up,” Mendez said. “Overall, [the girls are] starting to be a better team as a whole.”
The girls’ last preseason game will be at Chaminade High School next Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. Their first season game will be at Westminster High School next Thursday at 3:15 p.m and their next home game will be against Great Oak High School at 3:15 p.m. on Sept. 24.
